Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

Comments

2. Have you noticed any evidence of cracks or leaking in the headlight housing? I had a similar problem on my old '91 Dodge and it turned out to be water getting into the headlight assembly. :surprise:

I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can answer. I have a 1993 Toyota Corolla 4dr sedan. My problem started a couple of days ago. One of the guys was following me to work and he said he noticed that all of my brake lights were staying on (back window light, and all of the red lights in the rear). This only occurs when the headlights are on. If the headlights are off, the brake lights work normally (all of them only light up when the brakes are depressed). BTW, I have checked the parking brake numerous times and I also assume if it was the parking brake, the brake lights would stay on when the lights were off.

Anyways, now I am noticing that when the lights are on and you depress the brakes, the dashboard lights light up and the radio lights will dim (odd!). I called a mechanic and he said he thought one of the lights might be grounded and thus causing an electrical problem. All of the lights seem to be illuminating. Has anyone else had this problem?

I tried to check the rear brake lights, but I can't seem to get the light case off. I undid the two screws on the light, but I can't seem to pull it out and I can't find anymore screws. Am I missing something? Thanks in advance for any help.

My daughter bought 1998 Toyota Corolla 8 months ago. It has over 80,000 miles on it. The car has been running just fine until a few weeks ago it started making a random banging noise underneath. She said it also feels that it is losing power. She brought it to a very reliable mechanic and he could not find anything wrong with it. But then mumbled something about it may be the transmission.Tomorrow she is bringing it to a Toyota dealer for a diagnostic evaluation. Has anyone experienced such a problem with their Corolla or have any ideas as to what it may be. Thank you.

If you haven't got that starter fixed and need some help I live in So Cal also. I could probably do it for you if you like. You can e-mail me at VinceWood30@Yahoo if you still need help with this problem.

YES! My wife's 2005 Corolla has had these intermittant "SCREAMS" since it was 3 months old. Seems to happen more in warm weather instead of cold. How can you say it's the windshild wiper? I have brought the car into the dealership and they replaced some kind of airflow parts and after 1 week the problem popped up again. During the cold weather in Chicago for NOV/DEC she didnt hear it. Now today here in Jan, it's a warm day (over 40 degrees) and we were driving over 70 mph and that' all we heard. I recorded the sound and this time Toyota cannot tell me "It's normal air flow sounds". Yep... that's how they insulted my intelligence and simply told me that SREAMING sound is normal!!!!!!

The SAME sound/problem is heard on my wife's 2005 Corolla. It is a intermittant "SCREAMING" sound when traveling above 65 mph to can start up to 85 mph. These SCREAMING sounds happened after only having the car 3 months last year. Took car in the summer to dealership and they 1st replaced some kind of "air-flow" parts. After 1 week the sounds happened again. Took the car back and then THOMAS Toyota in Joliet, IL insults my intelligence and they simply now state "it's normal air flow sounds". Can you belive it? You hear SCREAMING sounds and they come back and say it's normal! I just recorded these sounds today and next Friday will be taking the car into the dealerdship where I bought the car (Toyota of Naperville, IL) and they can hear it for themselves. I afraid the bottom line and only cure in the end is not to buy a Toyota car again. Everytime I hear these sounds while driving on the expressway I go nuts. I don't know how my wife can tolerate it. I drive a older 1996 Honda Accord with over 200,000 miles and have never had any issues with it!

SAME issues with 2005 Corolla! Wife had her car only 3 months and this SREAMING sound come from near under the hood when she began driving over 65 mph. THis happened intermittantly. When the SCREAMING happens the sound can make one go nuts and very evident. Thomas Toytoa dealership in Joliet, IL first listen to my problem and replace some kind of air-flow parts. After 1 week the SAME SCREAMING sounds popped up again. Took it back to the dealership and now they are holding firm that these SCREAMS are simply normal air flow sounds! Can you believe it? Today I recorded these sounds and will be taking my wife's car back to dealership next friday with the sound evidence. We will see what happens. I drive a 1996 Honda Accord and never had any issues. If Toyota can't fix this issue then we simply cannot and will not ever buy or recommend a Toyota car again.

I'm going to try a different , more aerodynamic type of wiper . My wife seems to be able to temporarily silence the sound by wetting the windshield with the washer . It's gotta be air forcing it's way under the blades . I'll let you know if it works out .

that's an interesting observation! so the wiper arm may not be the source of resonance...and the wiper itself hasn't changed (wet windshield vs. dry).

any chance you're taking your vehicle through a car wash, and applying a wax to the entire vehicle?

my thinking is perhaps there is a surface film on the glass partially at root cause.

if you think you do have a wax film on the windshield, i wonder if cleaning it with a good solvent or glass cleaner might quiet down the blade chatter. perhaps i'd try cleaning the blade rubber as well.

I just bought a 2003 Corolla on ebay, picked it up two days ago and could not shift it into drive this morning. I also noticed that the following quit working also (they were all working yesterday), radio, heater fan, gas guage, temperature guage. I suspect fuses, but do not have an owners manual. HELP!!

It made the noise since brand new and I'm sure it happened with and without wax (or other film) on the windshield BUT you may have a point . I will try cleaning the windshield thoroughly and if nothing happens I'll try some rain-x or wax . My personal belief though is that the hoodline does not direct the airflow over the blades enough and hence the noise . No matter the cause I WILL FIX THIS . When I do , I will post the fix . Good idea . Thanks . :surprise: :blush: OOPS! a little gas .

My 2005 Corolla CE has a high pitched whine when it downshifts to a low speed and also a "whistle-like" sound when I gently depress the accelerator. This doesn't occur until the car is warmed up -- generally after being driven for 10 miles or so. I usually happens in Drive (I have an automatic transmission). The vehicle functions fine, except for this noise that drives me crazy. I took it into the dealer, but they couldn't find it; the rep advised me he was "chasing a ghost"! According to the dealer, it is not the drive train. There is no noise at high speed, just in stop-start traffic, or when the transmission downshifts to a low gear. I hope someone out there has some suggestions. Thanks.

I have been having problems with my starter for about a month now. The car clicks and won't start, sometimes it will but lately not at all. Firestone says that repairs would be about $400 because of the location of the starter. A friend of mine said that he would help me change it. I was wondering if it was in a location that I could reach it, and how feasible it is for a novice with a friend who knows cars a little bit to give this a try. Any help would be appreciated! thanks

I have problems with my starter too. I bought this corolla used...the same problem as earlier...once i turn the ignition there is a click but it wont start...this happens only if i have kept the car not started for a day or so and in cold weather....After i drive it for about 4 to 5 miles then it doesnt happen at all till the temperature cools down...replacing a starter will cost about 300 bux or so...what must be the problem?

I'm envious when I read about other people's gas mileage with their Corolla. I have a 2005 Corolla LE with automatic transmission. I currently have about 6500 miles on it. In the summer and fall, I averaged 24-26 mpg in mixed driving. Now that it's winter (I live in Wisconsin) and I only drive the Corolla in the city, I'm getting 20 mpg. What's wrong with my car?

If I were you I'd take it to a Toyota dealership because it's possible that you only need the starter solenoid replaced, not the whole starter motor. If that's the case then it should be under $200 for the repair. A Toyota tech will be able to tell very quickly if that is your problem or not.

We got a 1999 Corolla with 70k miles on it. It makes popping noise, which seems to be coming from the front end. Usually, the noise only starts after I drive for a while (5-6 miles), no difference if I turn or go straight. Any idea what the problem might be?

Hi,I got 2001 corolla CE, 5speed, 67000 miles.When I shift from 3rd to 4th gear, I hear rattling noise.It's louder after an driving it for a while. I hear it only when I am pressing accelerator, in gear 3 or 4, little bit on 5th gear. No noise on 1st or 2nd. gear.This noise is coming at around 2000 rpm, on 3rd and 4th gear, noisier when warmed up, noisier after 20 miles of driving. I took it to transmission shop, they could not make anything of it. They lifted the car, engaged gears, but I could not hear the noise outside of the car. The mechanic could hear it inside, but only slightly. The transmission oil was fine, the color it should be; they "kind of" excluded transmission/differential problem. They told me that the clutch may not be the problem either.They actually did not know what it is. 3 mechanics looked at it, 2 of them drove it.When in neutral, I hit gas pedal, I hear no rattle noise.I thought it could be the engine valves or something loose in camshaft area, needing to adjust. Another shop (over the phone) told me that the valves don't need to be adjusted, they have hydraulic system (I dont understand that). From what i told this shop guy, over the phone, he thinks it may be a throw bearing. Could it be aslo the timing chain? I am hopeless, I am about to take it to a shop for diagnosis. The CV joints look OK, no noise when I turn the wheel. Thanks ahead for advices or opinions. I bought the car 1100 miles ago, started noticing this 500 miles ago.

I had the same problem on my 94 corolla. replaced the baterry - didn't help. So I got a used starter from a junk yard for $40 and replaced it. The problem was to get the old starter out - I had to remove the plastic shield on the side to make enough space for a starter. It shouldn't take more than 1.5 hour if you know this "trick".

I had the same problem on 95 corolla 3 years ago.Starter would click several times, until i got the right moment to engage it. The it started.There are 2 cooper "things" inside your statrter (the headportion of it) where the wire from battery connect.The copper parts one on the upper one on the lower portion of the head are worn out so much. The engagement portion of the starter (the little teethed wheel - solenoid did that). Sorry I don't know the technical terms for these.The 2 metal copper parts cost me $22 from toyota dealership and I replaced it myself. It was very thight place to get to (the upper one), but I did it.For novice, you might get frustrated, as long as you can rwach the darn upper nut - very difficult to get to.Patience.

I know for a fact that lots of Camrys, both of mine for instance, do this. The problem? "Starter Contacts"--I have been quoted $60 for a fix, and that's for both parts and labor. I am not sure if this is what's wrong with your Corollas, but I would almost bet on it.

Please, don't go out and spend all that money for a new starter unless you absolutely positively need one!

i think this was covered in a previous post but i am just double checking...

for my 2003 corolla, the dashboard, headlights etc. don't turn on until 5-10 seconds after i start my engine and release the parking break...

this to me is very annoying..

what option should i change to if i don't want this to happen? (i.e. do i switch to all manual with no automatic lights? will the car beep if i forget to turn of my lights?)

i would like to keep the daytime running lights, so can i just switch my headlights on manually at night and they will still automatically turn off or do i lose all the automatic options when i do that?

i turn the key and give it gas, and it tries to start, i doubt its the altenator or the battery cuz i jumped the car. i think it might be the spark plug or even the gas not getting to the engine. anyone have any clues to whats happening to my car?

I have a 93 Corolla Sedan and after fixing the electronic box that controls the car, the speedometer doesn't work, I don't know what started but everytime I exceed amount of speed the check engine light appear I think is that the electronic device recognize that piece isn't working. The mecanic told me that is the sensor but in order to fix that I have to replace all the part... I'm just wondering is a way to fix it without replacing all the device. For any question about the type of transmission the car is automatic.

I just bought a new '06 Corolla with a 5-speed manual. The car runs great, but I've never had a car that goes so fast - in idle - in reverse. The thing shoots back like a rocket, and braking will lead to stalling, so I end up using the clutch too much. It idles at 1,000rpm. This is my first Corolla - is reverse geared very low or something? Anybody else experience this? Thanks in advance.